We got up early, had breakfast at the hotel and took a bus to a park, west of Hangzhou. This bus ride took more than two hours through the traffic and we ended up just about 10km away from our hotel. It was a very hot day again.

The park was the Xixi Wetland Park. A large area, which was a mix of different park styles. There were shops with interesting food in the center, a resort at one end and a botanical garden at the other. There was also an old villa of an famous poet and teacher of an emperor and a bird resort. The different areas were arranged in a pretty chaotic way. We needed to backtrack several times to see most of it. The villa was elegant and nice to visit.

The bird resort was also nice but you needed binoculars or a good camera and some patients to make the best out of it. We didn’t have any of this today.

Behind the park was the National Wetland Museum. When we arrived there, it was half an hour before closing time. But it was for free, so we took a quick look at least. We didn’t learn much in the short time and it seemed to be mainly for children.

We walked quite a lot today, so we were tired and decided to take an uber taxi back to the center this time.

Modern times in China: some restaurants here (like the one we chose) were so popular that you had to draw a number and wait for an empty table. But while waiting you can browse the menu per app. When you are at the table, you scan the QR-code at the table and soon you will get your food. And there is no tipping anywhere in this country. This makes it easier for the first-time tourist. The disadvantage is that service is quite different to what we are used to in Europe. Most employees are pretty grumpy, even rude sometimes. However, foreigners usually get special treatment, as long as you can communicate.

The food today was great once more.

Spicy squid, shrimps, pig ears, fried duck, marinated tofu skin, a pancake and a crispy rice dome. A new way for me to eat shrimps was to just remove head and tail and eat the rest with the remaining shell and legs. Sounds weird but was pretty good. However, this probably depends on the preparation or cooking technique.

The time in Hangzhou is almost over. Tomorrow is the next transfer day to Xining.